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Gilroy delays final district maps to May 19; demographer outlines criteria and posts deadlines
Summary
At the fourth public hearing on redistricting, Gilroy’s demographer reviewed draft maps, explained the 10% total-deviation standard and other mapping criteria, and the council set an April 28, 10 a.m. map-submittal deadline and moved final action to May 19 to allow more public input.
The city’s demographer at the April 21 meeting reviewed draft and public-submitted maps as part of Gilroy’s transition to district-based elections and the council voted to delay the final decision to May 19 to allow additional public review and map posting under state law.
Demographer presentations and public input
The consultant reviewed the districting criteria used to draw maps: population equality (measured by total deviation, which must stay under 10 percent), contiguity, respect for communities of interest, compactness and use of clear boundaries (major roads, creeks, etc.). She showed several draft maps derived from public submissions and described edits made to preserve or create a majority‑minority opportunity district in one configuration.
The demographer explained how total deviation is calculated: take the lowest district deviation and the highest district deviation, add the absolute values, and the result must be under 10 percent; she illustrated with sample district deviations. She also described the city’s posting requirements under the state’s Fair Maps Act and said maps submitted by the public at least seven days before a hearing must be posted in advance for review.
Council action and schedule
Council voted 4–0 to move the final decision from May 5 to May 19. Staff and the consultant said maps submitted by 10 a.m. April 28 will be posted for the May 5 meeting; the council will then use the May 5 and May 19 meetings to review updated drafts and public testimony. The council also added an additional meeting on May 19 for final consideration.
Public comment
Speakers at the meeting urged keeping the city’s East Side intact as a single community of interest and expressed preferences for specific public maps (identified in public-submission IDs referenced by staff). The demographer and council encouraged residents to submit maps and to testify on map preferences ahead of the April 28 posting deadline.
What's next
Residents who want their maps considered for the May 5 posting must submit them by 10 a.m. April 28, per the demographer’s guidance. The council will discuss posted maps on May 5 and is scheduled to make a final map selection on May 19.
